Guard & Reserve
Low-cost, premium-based health coverage for drilling Reserve members and families.
U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. David Thomson, DVIDS (public domain).
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Open LES Tool→TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) is a premium-based health plan that lets drilling Selected Reserve members buy TRICARE coverage for themselves and their families at a low monthly cost. It is one of the best deals in the Reserve benefits package, often far cheaper than civilian or employer coverage.
You are not automatically enrolled. You have to qualify, sign up, and pay the monthly premium.
TRS is for members of the Selected Reserve who are not eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) members generally cannot buy it. The premium is a flat monthly amount set each year, with one rate for member-only and a higher rate for member-and-family.
Eligibility
The cost
Confirm the current monthly premium on the TRICARE TRS Premiums page before you enroll, the rates change each year.
Source: TRICARE
TRS works like TRICARE Select: you can see any TRICARE-authorized provider, with lower costs in-network, and you pay an annual deductible and cost-shares. You can enroll any time you qualify, and coverage starts the first of the month after you sign up and pay. Keep your DEERS record current, because eligibility flows from it.
If your civilian job has no health plan, or its premiums are high, TRS is usually a much cheaper way to cover your family. If you are activated on orders for more than 30 days, you shift to active-duty TRICARE Prime at no premium, and TRS pauses, so coordinate the transitions.
Smart moves
Activated 30+ days? You move to TRICARE Prime at no cost, then back to TRS when you come off orders.
Source: TRICARE, Reserve
Who can buy TRICARE Reserve Select?
Selected Reserve members who are not eligible for FEHB. IRR members generally cannot.
How much does it cost?
A flat monthly premium set each year, lower for member-only and higher for member-and-family, plus standard TRICARE Select cost-shares. Check the current rate on TRICARE's site.
Does it cover my family?
Only if you, the sponsor, purchase coverage that includes them. Keep everyone current in DEERS.
What happens when I get activated?
On orders over 30 days you move to active-duty TRICARE Prime at no premium; TRS resumes when you come off orders.
